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Fremantle's West End to be permanently heritage listed

Fremantle's West End is the largest single place to be permanently included in the State Register of Heritage Places

Area includes 250 buildings and 200,000sqm

Precinct embodies the exuberance of the gold boom era when Fremantle was a thriving port town

Preserving the area for future generations will boost tourism and create local jobs

Fremantle's West End has been permanently included in the State Register of Heritage Places, providing protection and boosting tourism to the area.

The West End precinct is bounded by Market Street to the east, Collie Street and Marine Terrace to the south, Little High Street to the west and includes both sides of Phillimore Street to the north.

The City of Fremantle nominated the West End for inclusion in the State register following its own detailed assessment and community consultation process.

The precinct was listed in the State register on an interim basis in November 2016. The Heritage Council of Western Australia then invited public comment on permanent registration from owners, stakeholders and the wider community.

Comments attributed to Heritage Minister David Templeman:

"Fremantle's West End is a rare example of a highly intact port city business district and is notable for its impressive variety of gold boom era buildings that point to its maritime heritage.

"The permanent inclusion of West End in the State register recognises the important story the precinct tells as a whole, and it will now benefit from the full protection of the law in perpetuity.

"Since the interim registration late last year, it is clear that being State registered does not impose a greater level of bureaucracy on development proposals. It simply means development needs to be sensitive to the heritage values of the precinct.

"Private owners are eligible to apply for a Heritage Council grant of up to $100,000 to help with conservation works.

"State heritage-listing will enhance the precinct's appeal as a tourism destination, where visitors can immerse themselves in the sights and experiences of this historic area and contribute to its revitalisation."